Sunday, October 9, 2011

Joseph Wright of Derby - A Classical Romantic in the Age of the Industrial Revolution

Joseph Wright of Derby, A Philosopher Giving a Lecture on the Orrery, 1766
(Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby, England)

Joseph Wright of Derby, Experiment with an Air Pump, 1768
(National Gallery, London)

Joseph Wright of Derby is an 18th century artist that really stands out due to his unusual depictions of dark interiors with a hidden light source a little reminiscent of Carvaggio and De La Tour, two artist I find incredibly fascinating.

An avid believer in the enlightenment, he was part of an intellectual group, the Lunar society, who believed in the unity of science, philosophy and art. They got their name from their monthly meetings being held on the first Monday before a full moon.